Photo by Ethan Robertson on Unsplash
In the UK, we seem to spend a lot of our lives wishing for great summer weather. On the rare occasion that we actually get one, the country practically stops functioning as we aren’t very good in the heat. Some people love hot weather. They can easily visit very hot countries for their holidays and enjoy the scorching sun.
Not all of us are like that. Some people just don’t work as well in the heat, but still want to visit places where the climate may be a little uncomfortable. From feeling uncomfortable and irritable to outright heatstroke, it’s important you look after yourself in hot weather.
So just how do you keep yourself cool in hotter countries? We’ve rounded up a series of great tips to help you beat the heat when you’re abroad.
Book to travel in colder months
If you want to sun-seek, but not get too hot when doing it, then book either side of the hottest months. These differ for each country. In Europe, this might mean travelling in late May to early June to miss the July and August heatwaves. But if you’re planning an Egypt Tour, the best months to travel are between October and April, when the temperatures are still hot, but much more reasonable. In August, the temperatures can reach almost 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pay for air conditioning
Air conditioning is going to be your best friend. Think about it at every step of your journey. From your airport transfer to your hotel to your excursions, make sure that they have air conditioning (not just fans). Even if it’s more expensive, then it’s still worth paying for.
Keep your curtains closed
Keeping your blinds and curtains closed during the hottest parts of the day can really help keep the temperature in your room or apartment down. Even if you’re not there, keep them closed while you’re out, especially if the windows are facing the direction of the sun.
Take cold showers regularly
A cold shower is the quickest way to cool your entire body down. Take one as often as you can to keep yourself comfortable. If you haven’t got time for a shower, run a basin full of cold water and immerse your hands in it for a few minutes until you start to feel cooler.
Stay inside during the hottest part of the day
You are more likely to get sunburned or come down with heatstroke when the sun is at its strongest. This is usually between 10 am - 2 pm. You don’t have to be confined to your hotel room but save the walking around and sunbathing for cooler parts of the day.
If you do go outside, cover up and wear high factor heat protection.
Drink plenty of fluids
Staying well-hydrated is so important. Having enough water in your body will help it try and maintain your temperature. Water, juices and energy drinks are all great, but be careful about the amount of alcohol and caffeine you drink as this can dehydrate you.
Learn to cool down your ‘hot zones’
There are certain parts of your body, where your skin is thin, making it an ideal place to apply an ice pack. Applying cold here will cool you down much quicker. These spots include your groin, wrists, templates, elbows, neck and behind your knees.
Keep cool at night
If your air conditioning isn’t cutting it, or you don’t have any, there are a number of hacks you can use to keep yourself cool at night. These include using ice packs wrapped in a towel to take to bed with you. Make your own by freezing a partially filled bottle of water and taking it to bed with you. Placing it between your thighs on one of your cool zones will keep you cool during the night.
Some people even swear by putting their sheets in the freezer during the day. This will work but only for a short amount of time when you get into bed.
Match your routine to that of the locals
In a lot of very hot countries, the people who live there often have very different daily routines which are dictated by the heat. They may do a lot of activities very early in the morning or late in the evening. The middle of the day is used for activities that don’t really require much movement or going outside. Try and work your holiday activities around the same timetable if you can.
In places like Spain, you’ll find that the locals don’t eat until later in the evening and towns and cities are bustling with families even at midnight.
Wear suitable clothing
Because we get so little good weather in the UK, we tend to strip off as soon as the sun starts to shine, but this isn’t always the best way to keep yourself cool. Keep your clothing light and loose and from natural fabrics.
A hat and good quality sunglasses are also a necessity.
Learn the signs of heatstroke
Heatstroke is a potentially deadly condition that needs immediate medical attention. It happens when you’re body has been too hot for too long. The main symptoms of heatstroke include:
Confusion
Pale, clammy feeling skin
Dizziness
Confusion
Muscle cramps
Rapid breathing
High heart rate
Excessive thirst
High body temperature
If you feel any of these symptoms you need to get out of the sun and cooled down as fast as possible, drink sports drinks, rehydration sachets of water and lie down with your feet elevated.
Knowing the signs of heatstroke for yourself and others could save your life.
Final thoughts
Hotter climates can be difficult to get used to if you’re from somewhere that doesn’t get very hot. But you might not want to let the heat stop you from visiting other countries. By knowing the best times to be out and about, alongside a few other tips, then you should be able to keep yourself comfortable. So you can enjoy your holiday.
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